Land Valuations.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 313, 24 May 1907, Page 2

Land Valuations.

A CHARGE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. At the Farmers’ Union Conference, on Thursday last, Mr G. J. Garland moved “thtk thie breoch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union protects against the present sys tem of land valuation, inaamueh m it appliea to recurrent unimproved values, and that a copy of this resolution ba sent to the Colonial Conference, and that Mr Allen Bell be also requested to bring tbe matter before tbe County Council Conference.”

* Hr Allen Bell made a very serious otnrge against the Government. He said he had referred to tbe subject at a meeting at the c<mcla*i'»n of which a man who acted as. Government vainer told him that all he had said w«ka correct. Thia valuer stated that bis figures bad bene altered in several instances after they were sent on to WcHington. Valuations of improvemen te had been cut down to «ho extent of an average of 50 per cent, and cams added on to the improved v&luea. This man who was a* practical farmer, stated that he intended to reaign his position, as a protest. Tbe Blotion was carried. A CONTBADBDTION.

The has given a fiat contradiction to a charge made by Captain Bell, at the Farmers’ Union conference at;Auckland, as toalterafciou of the Valuer’s figures after they were sent to the Valuation Department in Wellington. The Valuer General said -that a valuer was an expert, and tbe Department considered he was the ablest jadge of the value of land in bis own district. The Farmers’ Union is to be asked to furnish tbe Valuation Department with fuller information regarding Captain Bell’s charge.

We commend Captain Bell for bringing this matter forward, as it will place the Valuation Department and its doings under public notice. There is no disputing the fact that ftlthoagb denied by the Valuer-General tbe statement is borne oat by tbe ex perienees of settlers in this * district, and it might be interesi?iug" to learn that we have been acquainited of an instance where tbe valuation had been cut down by 50 per cent.-,-- and if necessary could produce inisonftrovertible evidence to verify Mr Beil’s Btatemeat. The administration of this department sadly needs changing as there is not a branch of-dtbe civil eOrvico which is more open to corrupt practices than the one under notice. We know of one valuer -who after paying all expenses bad-41s 6d left as a reward for making a valuation which involved £l4OO I <